Memory Makers
What is the magic of camp? What makes a camp different from another camp? So many camp directors approach this question by saying … traditions. True, traditions are created and
Staff Continuum
In 2006, 87 percent of YMCA Camp Ernst’s staff had once been campers themselves or were returning staff. According to the American Camping Association (ACA), the national average
Active, Involved And Interested
Familiarity breeds contempt--or, at the least, apathy--when it comes to training returning camp staff members who are so intimately familiar with the rules, regulations, policies and
The Well-Trained Staff
Welcome to the debut of Camp Business’s new column on staff training. Dr. Chris Thurber, one of the most sought-after camp consultants, responds to reader queries, and offers cutting-edge, turnkey content
Courageous Ignorance
If you’ve seen my photo or met me at a conference, you might wonder what gives me—a white male—the qualifications or street cred to write about prejudice and diversity. And some would consider that racism.
Overnight Vs. Day Camp
There is no single recipe for building a successful camp, but there is one key ingredient that must be included—an exceptional staff. After spending almost 30 years immersed in camp culture, most recently
Where Have All The Camp Staff Gone?
In recent months, I find myself humming the modern folk song, “Where have all the flowers gone?”, written by Pete Seeger (although in my opinion—best sung by the Kingston Trio). This melancholy tune has been a
Short and Sweet
Distracted. Impatient. Overwhelmed. Unfortunately, this is how today’s learner is often described (thank you, multi-tasking, and not at all what I am doing while writing this)! Not only is this the case in school and
Cast The Right Net
I recently attended a summer job fair at Louisiana State University (LSU) with hopes of finding my “aha moment” to explain what makes college-aged kids want to work at camp. It was no surprise that I came
Rethinking Service
“One, two, three, GO!” The whistle blew and the first round of campers was off. Half-walking, half-running, they carefully balanced a Ping-Pong ball atop a paddle in their hands, eyes glued down in concentration.
From Camper To Counselor
One of our greatest strengths as a camp—a large number of “home grown” staff members—also presents one of the greatest challenges.
Three-Step Program
Hiring a staff to run the camp during the summer is the most time-consuming and important thing a camp director can do each year. How to get started? My suggestion is to make a plan!
Fasten Your Seatbelts
When an airplane takes off, many people think their flight has just begun. Those who toil behind the scenes in aviation know differently, thanks to the endless hours of aircraft maintenance, cleaning, ordering
Staff Recruitment - Beyond the Resume
If you've never hired someone who didn't work out, or never had vacancies when summer started, then don't bother reading this. Still reading? Then you already know that finding enough staff, and more
e-Learning Comes Of Age
This past summer, the staff at Camp Inthedark trickled in--most without a clue about playing games, leading children, managing difficult behavior or becoming youth development
The Well-Trained Staff
Welcome to the debut of Camp Business’s new column on staff training. Dr. Chris Thurber, one of the most sought-after camp consultants, responds to reader queries, and offers cutting-edge, turnkey content
A Few Of My Favorite Things
To hear is to forget. To see is to remember. To do is to learn. As we travel around the country speaking at conferences and training camp staff, we embrace this adaptation of a famous statement from Confucius.
Conference-Style Staff Training
“This isn’t relevant to me.” “I already know this.” “Do I have to sit through bullying again?” “Sessions were too long and boring.”
No Manual For Industry Secrets
Camp work should come with a warning label. There are just some industry secrets that never seem to be covered in staff training. From solemn and serious to wild and wacky, here are 88